By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A panel discussion prior to the annual Purdue University Ag Alumni Fish Fry on Feb. 5 will highlight the work of the university on improving the health, environment and welfare of U.S. livestock.

Referred to as the Ag Forecast, the discussion will start at 9:30 a.m. in Grand Hall at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. The event is free and open to the public. Purdue panelists are Paul Ebner, an assistant professor, who specializes in microbiology; Donald Lay, an adjunct professor, who focuses on animal behavior and well-being; and Scott Radcliffe, an associate professor, who studies swine nutrition.

Karen Plaut, moderator for the discussion and associate dean of the College of Agriculture and director of agricultural research programs, said the panel will showcase the latest research by Department of Animal Sciences faculty supporting animal agriculture in Indiana.

“Faculty will discuss their research to improve food safety, environmental stewardship and animal welfare on the farm,” Plaut said. “These critical issues will help Indiana farmers continue to be successful and contribute to the economy of Indiana.”

Ebner will speak on food safety in the production of healthy and affordable meat, poultry and dairy products.

He said teams of epidemiologists and microbiologists in the department are at the forefront of determining how food-borne pathogens enter the food chain.
“These researchers have used this information to develop several innovative and practical technologies used by livestock producers to ensure the safety of their products,” Ebner said.

Lay will speak on issues involving animal welfare. He mentioned that scientists of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Purdue faculty are assessing welfare-friendly alternatives to sometimes, controversial on-farm practices.
“Pressure to change traditional farm animal management techniques and procedures has been building internationally, as well as nationally,” he said. “Research on consumer preference has shown that the general public consistently supports these changes.”

Radcliffe will speak on applied and basic research investigating environmental nutrition. He also will explain how basic environmental nutrition work in animals is being used to better understand mineral homeostatic mechanisms in humans.
The Fish Fry will follow the panel discussion at 11:30 a.m. in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, also on the fairgrounds.

While the Ag Forecast is free and open to the public, tickets for the Fish Fry are $20 and must be purchased in advance. Contact the Purdue Ag Alumni office at 765-494-8593 or by e-mailing agalumni @purdue.edu for more details.